State Rep. Kevin Green vows to vote against Kent County Jail millage renewal if fees that concern local mayors are not changed

GRAND RAPIDS -- State Rep. Kevin Green, R-Wyoming, is siding with several area mayors over concerns about jail fees and today said he would oppose an Aug. 5 jail millage renewal if the fees are not changed.

Green's position is the latest salvo in an ongoing battle between the mayors of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Walker, Wyoming, Kentwood and Grandville and county leaders to get the jail fees eliminated.

Cities pay nearly $50 per day to house inmates in the Kent County Jail on city ordinance charges, amounting to about $1.6 million. The mayors have complained their residents are being "double dipped" because they pay the current jail millage, county taxes and also the per diem jail fees.

The mayors so far have threatened to withhold support for the 20-year millage renewal, but have made no stronger statements.

"The residents of Kent County want to see their tax dollars spent wisely. I'm concerned that people will be taxed twice for the same purpose, so some changes are needed," Green said in a press release today.